Brigham City mayor, former LDS Bishop, admits to affair

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In a November 30 statement released to the Standard-Examiner, Brigham City Mayor Dennis J. Fife admitted to engaging in extramarital "indiscretions" with a fellow church member.

Fife said he meant for the statement to appear first in the Box Elder News Journal, which prints Wednesday. The statement was removed from the Standard-Examiner's website.

In the statement, Fife said he served as a bishop for his ward in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints prior to becoming the city's mayor. LDS bishops provide counsel regarding the personal lives of ward members.

Fife said he developed a confidential relationship with one woman who continued to seek his advice after he was no longer a bishop.

"I am not assigning blame to her, but the confidential relationship that had developed during my counseling time with her as a bishop continued. I am guilty of indiscretions that occurred during this continuation period," Fife's statement said.

Fife closed the statement by asking for the forgiveness of the people of Brigham City. He plans to finish his term.

"I think Dennis Fife's a good man and he made some mistakes," said Brigham City council member Scott Ericson. "One-on-one he had a conversation with us and just let me know individually what had happened. And, at t that time, I told him that I thought the best thing for him and, especially for the city, to do would be to resign.'

Fellow city council member Mark Thompson disagrees with Ericson and says Fife has his support with his plans to continue serving as mayor.

Read the entire statement below:

"For over seven months now, I have been going through the repentance process for indiscretions I have committed. I have confessed to my wife, my ecclesiastical leaders and recently spoke to the city council but I want to share that confession with the residents of Brigham City.

Prior to serving as your mayor, I served as a local bishop. In that capacity I counseled with many members of the congregation regarding their personal lives. When I was released, one woman with whom I had been counseling continued to seek my advice. I referred her to the new bishop and yet she continued to seek me out. I am not assigning blame to her, but the confidential relationship that had developed during my counseling time with her as a bishop continued. I am guilty of indiscretions that occurred during this continuation period.

I recognized the need to completely terminate that relationship and I have confided the details of my transgressions to my family and church leaders. There [sic] are assisting me in the repentance process. I have asked their forgiveness and understanding and I'm grateful it has been extended. We are working through these issues together.

As your mayor, I am asking for your forgiveness and understanding. I have the support of my wife and I am asking for your support as I continue to serve as your mayor. Judge me as you will but my conscience is clear and my commitment to serve is resolute.